NETMINDER Dave Clancy was rushed to hospital after a freak accident prior to Blackburn Hawks' English Cup game with Billingham Bombers.

Clancy, who was hit in the eye with the puck during the warm-up, needed five stitches after the puck had passed through his helmet visor.

Hawks' assistant manager Graham Lomax said: "It was an unfortunate accident and gave everyone a scare. However, Dave is getting better although he is not likely to feature in next weekend's action."

Hawks went on to lose the game 7-4 just 24 hours after they had defeated local rivals Flintshire Freeze in the same competition.

"The Billingham game was very poor from our point of view," said Lomax. "We went with a blas attitude and they outplayed us."

The home side took the lead within 13 seconds through Stuart Gibbon before David Thomas extended the Bombers lead.

Hawks grabbed three goals in the second period bringing the score to a close 3-4 after Anthony Price and Ricky Box had added two more for Billingham.

Despite a late Wayne Slater goal in the third period, the Bombers added three more.

On Saturday's game Hawks overcame Flintshire 9-7.

Bobby Haig had an inspired evening, scoring two and setting up three more as Hawks came from behind to win.